Washing machine



March 19, 1957 M. J. BRODERICK WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet FiledMarch 2, 1955 JFzmagZon M548 Jfirodzalc,

March 19, 1957 M. .1. BRODERICK WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 2, 1955 March 19, 1957 M. J. BRODERICK 2,785,558

WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1955 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mini UnitedStates Patent C) WASHING MACHINE Maurice J. Broderick, Chicago, Eli.

Application March 2, 1955, Serial No. 491,603

4 Claims. (Cl. 63-22) This invention relates to washing machines and isparticularly concerned with a washing machine with inbuilt wringer.

The principal purpose of the invention is to provide a highly efilcient,compact large-capacity Washing machine of pleasing appearance, for use,generally speaking, in any ordinary households but especially inrelatively crowded conditions, as in modern apartments or the like,requiring relatively little space and being mobile so that it may berespectively used and stored away in any desired and suitable location.The machine of the invention may for example be used in a kitchen ofordinary size and stored away in a clothes-closet; it may likewise bepermanently placed in a kitchen or the like, always ready for service,and during nonuse, it may serve in the nature of a hamper. Its pleasingappearance will blend well with other appliances ordinarily found inkitchens or the like.

Some of the salient objects of the invention are outlined below so as toaid the understanding of the detailed explanations which are to follow.

One object is to provide a washing machine of the above outlined typewhich has been designed with a view of ease of manufacture and assembly,using numerous readily obtainable standard parts combined in novelmanner with other parts so as to produce a highly efiicient reliably andeconomically operating structure.

Another object is to incorporate in the machine, as an integral partthereof, a wringer disposed directly adjacent to the washing compartmentand in direct communication with such compartment. A reversible drivecomprising a standard reversing gear is provided for the wringer so asto permit feeding objects into the washing compartment as well asdischarging them from such compartment under pressure so as to removeliquid therefrom which drains back into the washing compartment. Washedobjects are in this manner efficiently discharged from the washingcompartment in a damp condition, ready for ironing or drying withoutspilling liquid outside the machine.

A further object is to provide a wringer comprising a drive roller indriving coaction with the standard reversible gear, and a driven rollerfor coaction with the drive roller. The driven roller is part of asubassembly or unit, and is provided for removabiy locking or latchingsuch subassembly or unit to stationary parts of the drive roller, so asto dispose the driven roller for resilient pressure-coaction therewith.Release of the locking or latching means causes instant release of thesubassembly, thereby instantly releasing the driven roller frompressure-coaction with the drive roller and thus providing for a safetyfeature to prevent accidents and/or damage due to jamming of thewringer.

Still another object is to provide an inner tub forming in its lowerportion a cross-sectionally generally square rectangle and in its upperportion a cross-sectionally somewhat elongated rectangle having ashelflike bottom wall oliset from the lower tub portion and merging withthe corresponding downwardly extending side wall thereof. The upperportion of the tub which is thus laterally oiiset from the lower portionforms the wringer compartment, that is, a compartment for accommodatingthe Wringer and its above indicated component parts. Wall means isprovided for covering the wringer compartment and thereby the partsdisposed thereon, except thewringer rollers, such wall means extendingon the insjide of the structure substantially in alignment with thecorresponding wall of the lower tub portion. The lower crosssectionallysubstantially square tub portion is thus extended upwardly substantiallyto thejtop of the structure, forming a cross-sectionally generallysquare washing com partment in which is disposed an agitator of standarddesign extending upwardly from the bottom wall thereof. Thecrosssectio'nally substantially square configuration of the washingcompartment provides for a large volu: metric capacity and for increasedturbulence of the, wash ing liquid responsive to operation of theagitator, thus contributing to efiicient operation.

The inner tub may be made of any desired and suitable material, forexample, aluminum or stainless steel, and a drain may be provided in thebottom thereof. An outer shell of a suitable sheet material may bewrapped. about the walls of the inn r tub forming a unitary structuretherewith and forming the casing of the machine. A lid is provided forremovably covering the machine on the top thereof.

in accordance with a further object there is provided underneath thebottom wall of the iimer tub a sturdy spiderlike supporting and mountingmember. This member has the dual function first, of securely supportingthe inner tub and second, of supporting standard operating elementsmounted thereon and depending therefrom. These elements include thedrive motor, a gear box and a pump. The gear box contains known gearmeans for driving the agitator and the reversible drive gear whee forthe Wringer. I

The motor drives the main gear in the gear box through the medium of astandard belt drive. The pump is pivotally mounted on a part extendingfrom the supporting and mounting spider and carries a friction drivewheel for engagement with the belt. Brackets, are pro vided' inside ofthelca sing near the bottom thereof, carrying suitable supporting meanssuch as caster wheels. The spider member .isrigidly connected with suchbrackets by sturdy posts extending downwardly therefrom and the entireweight of the inner tub and of the operating elements is thustransferred to the supporting rackets and therewith to the casters inengagement with the floor.

Control elements are provided on the outside of the casing of themachine including, first, a knob or thelike for throwing the agitatorinto and out of gear by suitable clutch means; second, a knob or thelike for actuating the reversible wringer drive gear respectively intoneutral position and in position to drive the drive roller of thewringer in one or the other direction; and third, a knob or the like formoving the pivotally mounted pump so as to throw the friction wheelthereof into engagement with the drive belt, upon conclusion of awashing cycle, for the purpose of draining the liquid from the inner tuband moving it to a discharge from which it may be expelled through ahose or the like to any suitable place, for example, a sink.

A basketlike container is in accordance with the invention carried onthe outside of the casing of the machine for holding the electric cordwith its plug provided for establishing the current supply over asuitable wall socket or the like.

The above outlined and other objects and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment whichwill presently be rendered with reference to the accompanying drawings.In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational front view of an embodiment of the new washingmachine;

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 illustrates the machine in perspective view with the lid or coverremoved; 7 Fig. 4 is a plan elevational view looking into the machinefrom the top;

Fig. 5 represents a view looking from the bottom of the machine upwardlyat the operating elements depending from the supporting and mountingspider which is interconnected with the corner brackets carrying thecaster wheels;

I Fig. 6 shows the drive roller assembly of the wringer as seen whenlooking down after removal of the driven roller assembly;

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional partial views taken respectively along lines7-7 and 8-8 in Fig. 6 to illustrate stationary latching and lockingparts for the ass'embly of the driven wringer roller unit;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the frame of the driven roller unittaken approximately along lines 9-9 in Figs. 4 and 10;

Fig. 10 shows a sectional view through the frame of the driven rollerunit taken approximately along line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 illustrates a sectional view of the driven roller unit takenapproximately along line 1111 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 comprises two figures to aid in explaining the latching orlocking of the driven roller unit. the coaction of the two wringerrollers, and the safety release of the unit.

Referring now to the drawings. numeral 1 indicates the outer shell orcasing of the machine which extends substantially from the bottom to thetoo thereof. This casing mav be enameled on the outside in desiredcolor, for example, white. and a bottom portion 2 may be of a darkershade. This provides a distinctive appearance and has a utilitarianaspect in that it conceals splashes of dirt or wear marks that may becaused by handling. Numeral 3 (Figs. 3, 7 and 8) indicates a side wallof the inner tub having an inner wall 4 (Figs. 2. 3. 4, 5, 6) extendingupwardly from its bottom wall 5 (Figs. 1, 2, 4. 5 and 63 and terminatingin a laterallv extending sh f 6 as indicated in Fi s. 1, 2. 3, 4 and 6.The up er edges of the side walls of the inner tub and of the outershell are connected by a border stri 7. A similar strip m v be providedat the b ttom. if desired. I

The laterally offset wall 6 of the inner tub provides on too of themachine a transversallv extend ng com artment for accomm dating thevarious component parts of the wrin er and its drive mechanism. Theseparts are in the operating condition of the machine concealed by theinner plates 8 and 9. plate 8 having lins 10 and 11 extending toward thewringer rollers. the wringer drive mechanism c nt ined in the box 17 (Fi6i being covered on too by the plate 13. Numeral 14 indicates the tooplate of the unit comprising the driven wrin er roller 15 coacting withthe drive wringer ro ler 16 o erated from the standard reversing gearcont ined in the box 17.

It will be seen, therefore. that the inner tub which may be made forexample of aluminum sheet forms within the outer shell or casing awashing c mpartment which is in its lower portion of cross-sectionallvgenerallv souare configuration. su'ch configuration being preserved inits upper portion where it is along one side defined by the inner wallsor plates 8 and 9 covering the wringer drive compartment while leavingthe wringer rollers 15 and 16 accessible and in free communication withthe washing compartment.

The bottom 5 of the inner tub carries a drain 20 (Fig. 4,) communicatingwith a fitting 21 (Fig. 5) disposed underneath, the fitting 21 beingprovided with a hose 22 extending to the intake of the pump 23 which ispivotally mounted at 24. Another hose 25' extends from the pump 23 tothe fitting 26 shown in Fig. 1. A knob 27 is provided for angularlydisplacing the pump 23 which carries a friction drive wheel 28 so as tocause such drive wheel to engage the belt 29 driven by the motor 3%) anddriving the gear drive wheel 31, thereby causing actuation of the pump23, upon conclusion of a washing cycle (the motor 30 being assumed to bein operation) for the purpose of draining the liquid from the washingcompartment and moving it by way of the hose connection 25 to thefitting 26. A suitable hose may be connected with the latter fitting fordischarging the liquid into a sink or the like.

The gear casing 35 shown in Fig. 5 may be a standard part as previouslymentioned. Its main drive gear is driven by the motor 30 over the belt29 and the wheel 31 to drive through the medium of suitable intermediateears (not shown) a shaft 36 for the agitator 37 which is disposed in thewashing compartment above the bottom wall 5 thereof as shown. Theagitator may also be a standard part and, like other standard partsused, such as the motor 30, the gear box or assembly 35, the pump 23 andthe reversing gear 17, need not be described in detail as the structureand function of such standard parts is well known. The gear assembly 35also includes a gear for driving a shaft 40 extending vertically fordriving the reversing gear contained in the box 17 shown in Fig. 6.

It should be observed that the wall 4 of the inner tub forms with theouter shell or casing a vertically upwardly extending space as shown atthe right hand part of Fig. 5, such space terminating in the lateralshelflike wall 6 on top of which is disposed the wringer and itscomponent parts. Through this space extends the drive shaft 40 for thereversible gear 17 and also the discharge hose 25 from the pump to thefitting 26.

The known standard parts including the motor 30, the gear assembly 35,and the pump 23 are mounted on and depend from a sturdy spiderlikesupporting and mounting member disposed underneath the bottom wall 5 ofthe inner tub. This mounting member has arms 45 extending from a centralportion 46 and side arms 47 and 48. From the junctures of the arms 45/47 and 54/48 extend sturdy bolts 49 and 50, respectively, which connectrespectively with the brackets 51 and 52 disposed inside the casing atthe bottom corners thereof. Similar bolts 53 and 54 extend respectivelydownwardly from the side arms 47 and 43 connecting respectively with thecorner brackets 55 and 56. A caster wheel such as shown at 57 isconnected with each corner bracket.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the spiderlike mounting membersupports the weight of the inner tub as well as the various operatingelements including the motor 30 which is secured to the spider by meansof the mounting 69, the gear assembly 35 and the pump 23 which ispivotally mounted at 24 in journal members extending from a bracket 61extending from the spiderlike member; the spiderlike member being inturn connected with the corner brackets 51/52, 55/56 carrying thecasters such as 57, and the weight of all parts is thus transferred tothe casters in contact with the floor. There is accordingly noparticular stress or strain put on any part that may be detrimental toits function.

It is understood, of course, that the drive shaft for the agitatorextends upwardly through the bottom wall 5 of the inner tub through aliquid-tight journal which may be a standard part of known and approvedstructure. Underneath the bottom wall 5 of the inner tub is provided asuitable clutch of standard construction for coupling the agitator shaftin driving engagement with the gear actuated shaft 36 (Fig. 5). Thecorresponding clutch actuator may be a suitably pivotaily mounted forkedmember 7:) cooperating with a crank "ii ournalled in the arms of thejournal member 61 depending from or forming part of the spiderlikesupporting, or-mounting member. The crank shaft 72, extends to theoutside and. may be actuated by a knob 73*. Rotation of the knob 73 willcause. rotation of the crank 71 and corresponding displacement of theclutch fork 70 so as to couple the agitator 37 for drive engagement withthe gear driven shaft 36 or to disengage it, as desired.

The current on-off switch may be combined with. the agitator on-olfdrive or with another control or, if desired, a special switch may beprovided and disposed as may be desired.

The wringer, its component parts and operation as well as the locking orlatching of the driven wringer roller relative to the drive roller andits release will be described next particularly with reference to Figs.6 to 12.

Details of the assembly or unit of the driven wringer roller 15 areapparent from Figs. 9, 10 and 11. This unit, comprising a, cover plate14- and parts associated therewith including the driven roller 15 isremovable from the machine in a manner which will be presently describedin detail.

Fig. 6 shows the assembly or mounting of the wringer drive roller 16 asseen in. plan elevational view when looking down after removal of thedriven roller unit. At the left of the drive roller mounting is disposedthe box l7 containing the known previously mentioned standard reversinggear driven by the shaft 49 from a gear in the gear box 35 (Fig. 5) thegears of which are in turn actuated by the motor 39. As noted before,the shaft 40 for driving the reversing gear 17 extends u wardly throughthe lateral space between the wall 4 of the inner tub. and thecorresponding wall of the outer casing. This space terminates at theshelfiike laterally offset wall 6 of the inner tub as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 2. The shaft 40 extends of course through the wall6 into the reversing gear box 17. This gear box is normally covered bythe plate 13 (Figs. 3 and 4) which is assumed to have been removed inFig. 6.

The mounting for the driven wringer roller l6, as diagrammatically shownin Pig. 6, comprises a casting forming end walls 75, 75 having arms 77and 73 respectively extending therefrom, such arms respectively formingangular inwardly and outwardly directed extensions 79 and 89. Theoutwardly directed extensions 79 and 80 project outwardly through acutout in the casing formed by corresponding parts of the inner tub 3and the outer shell 1 (see also Fig. 7) and terminate on the outside inflanges 79 and fill. The inwardly directed portions of the extensions 79and 8t stop short of the drive wringer roller 16. Numeral til indicatesa forwardly extending curved apronlike member defining the lower edge ofthe frontal opening giving access to the wringer rollers l5 and 16, asis particularly apparent from Fig. 1.

At the rear of the drive roller mounting is secured the cover plate isforming a cutout defined by the curved lip Ill and similarly curved sidearms ill. The lip ll) and the side arms ll project forwardly and stopshort of a line defined by the circumference ofthe drive roller 16 asparticularly shown in Fig. 6. The side arms are respectively inalignment with the inwardly directed portions of the extensions 79 andSi Numerals $3 and as indicate bosses formed by the casting forming theend walls 75 and 76 for securing the cover plate 8 in position. Thiscover plate 8 thus defines, as particularly shown in Fig. 3, an openingthrough which the wringer rollers 15 and 16 communicate with the washingcompartment.

It should be observed that all edges formed by the openings in front aswell as in the rear of the wringer rollers are well rounded tofacilitate manipulation of pieces of laundry and to prevent damagethereto.

It will be seen from the foregoing explanations that the mounting meansfor the drive wringer oller forms two rectangular areas, one being welldefined by the end wall 75, extension 77 with its rearward arm 79, andpart of the rear cover plate 8 with its extension ll, and the otherrectangular area being well defined by the end wall 76,; extension 78with its rearward arm ill) and part of the rear cover plate 8 with itsextension 11. These welldefined areas at the opposite ends of themounting are provided for receiving the corresponding ends of the drivenwringer roller unit shown in Figs. 9 to 11 in a manner which will bepresently described.

At the bottoms of each of these well-defined areas is disposed a pair ofbosses respectively shown at /86 and 87/88 each pair forming a. recessfor receiving a hearing such as shown at 90 and 91. Each bearing may bemade of wood or the like for journalling corresponding portions of theshaft 92 of the wringer drive roller 16.

The left end of the shaft 92 extends through the end wall 75 of themounting into the box 17' containing the reversing gear. Such gear maybe of known standard construction comprising a bevel gear keyed to theshaft, 92 and coacting bevel gears which may be selectively coupledtherewith by known clutch means providing for a neutral position and twooperating positions, one for driving the drive roller 16 in one and theother for driving it in another direction of rotation. A knob 95 isprovided, on the outside of the casing for controlling the desiredcoupling of the gear with the bevel gear of the shaft 92 of the wringerdrive roller 16. The knob 95 may be put in neutral position in which thewringer drive is disconnected or, as desired, for forward drive todischarge laundry pieces from the washing compartment or for reverseddrive to feed laundry pieces into the washing compartment.

Each end wall 75 and 76 of the mounting for the wringer drive roller 16is provided with an angular recess or notch as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8respectively at 96 and 97. These notches are provided for receivingcrosssectionally semispherical portions 103 and. 104 of a looking orlatching shaft 195 of the cooperating driven wringer roller unit shownin Figs. 9 to 11. On the: end wall 75 of the mounting shown in Fig. 6 ispivotally mounted a locking or latching pawl 9%, as is particularlyapparent from Fig. 7, and this pawl is biased in counterclockwisedirection by a spring 99. The pawl is provided with an angular lockingor latching tooth ltltl projecting laterally inwardly of a line definedby the long side wall of the notch 96 in the end wall 75.

It will be clear from the above explanations that the semisphericalportions 103 and 104 can be respectively inserted into the notches 96and 97 in the end walls or plates 75 and 76 of the mounting shown inFig. 6. Insertion of the corresponding semipherical portion into thenotch 96 of the end plate 75 will move the tooth 100 of the pawl 98 tothe right (as seen in Fig. 7) angularly rotating the pawl clockwise.Upon rotating the shaft (Figs. 9 and 10) clockwise, the semisphericalportions 193 and M4 will rotate into locking position in the notches 96and 97 and the pawl 98 will be able to rotate counterclockwise into theposition shown in Fig. 7 to lock the corresponding semispherical portion103 and therewith the shaft 105 against displacement from the mountingfor the wringer drive shaft.

Details of the above indicated locking operation and of the release ofthe assembly of the driven wringer shaft carrying the locking shaft 105will be presently described with reference to Fig. 12 after nextdescribing the structure of such assembly or unit with reference toFigs. 9 to 11.

The unit comprises a casting forming the top plate 14 (see also Fig. 4)having a rear wall (see also Fig. 3) and a front wall 111 (see also Fig.1). The horizontal portion of the top plate 14 overlapping the frontwall 111 as shown in Fig. 11 corresponds to one of the forwardlydirected ears of the top plate 14 as shown in Fig. 4. The locking shaft195 is journalled in bosses 112, 1113 pro vided thereon. End wallmembers 114, 115 are integral with the top plate casting. Each of theseend wall members is provided with a cutout as indicated in Fig. 11 at116. At the left of the end wall 114 is disposed at cross member 117having an upward extension 118 provided with a slot 119. This crossmember is secured to bosses on the under side of the top plate 14 bymeans of screws 120, 121. Compression springs 122 and 123 arerespectively associated with the screws 120, 121. The left hand end 125of the shaft 105 of the driven wringer roller 15 is disposed in the slot119 formed in the upwardly extending arm or part 118 of the cross member117.

The journal for the right hand end 126 of the shaft of the drivenwringer roller (see Figs. 9 and 10) corresponds in all details to thestructure for journalling the left hand end 125 of the shaft asdescribed above.

The locking shaft 105 extends to the left of the left hand journalstructure. A handle 130 is rotatable on the corresponding end of theshaft 105. A pin 131 extends from the shaft 105 into an elongated slot132 formed in the handle journal portion. It follows, therefore, thatthe handle 130 can rock on the shaft 105 within the limitations of theslot 132. Putting it in other words, if it is assumed that the handle130 is rotated out of the position in which it is shown in Fig. 10, thatis, perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing, it will firstrotate freely on the shaft 105 until the rear wall of the slot 132engages the pin 131; further rotation of the handle will rotate theshaft 105 correspondingly. The operation in the other direction issimilar. The arrangement pro duces in this manner a lag in the operationof the shaft, the rotation thereof lagging somewhat behind the rotationof the handle. The journal portion of the handle is provided with acamming pin 135. The locking shaft 105 is reduced at its opposite endsto form the previously mentioned semispherical portions 103 and 104.

The insertion of the unit of the driven wringer roller with the drivewringer roller, the locking of such assembly in operating position andthe safety release thereof will now be described with reference jointlyto Figs. 6 to 11 and particularly with reference to Fig. 12.

The assembly or operating unit of the driven wringer roller 15 shown inFigs. 9 to 11 is inserted into the structure shown in Fig. 6 with theopposite ends forming the journals for the shaft ends 125 and 126 (Fig.9) taking their places within the well-defined areas at the oppositeends of the mounting for the drive wringer roller 16. The handle 130 isduring such insertion in the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and alsoindicated in full lines in Fig. 12. The semispherical portions 103 and104 of the locking shaft 105 are accordingly in the positions indicatedin full lines and easily slip into the notches 96 and 97, respectively,also shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Pressure is thus placed on the tooth 100 ofthe pawl 98 and such pawl rotates clockwise into the full line positionshown in Fig. 12. The handle 130 is thereupon rotated clockwise into thedotted line position shown in Fig. 12 (perpendicularly out of the planeof the drawing as shown in Fig. 9) to rotate the shaft 105 by so as toplace the semispherical reduced shaft portions 103 and 104 into the fullline position shown in Fig. 12 in connection with the portion 103. Theseportions accordingly look within the notches 96 and 97 in an obviousmanner. The pawl 98 can now rotate clockwise into the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 12, thereby locking the assembly or unit of thedriven wringer roller 15 in place above and for coaction with the drivewringer roller 16.

The ends 125 and 126 of the driven roller 15 are disposed in the slotssuch as 119 formed in the upward extensions such as 118 of therespective cross members such as 117. Accordingly, when the drivenwringer roller 15 engages the drive wringer roller 16, the ends 125, 126of its shaft will move upwardly within the slots 119 into the positionin which the shaft end 125 is shown in Fig. 12. The wringer rollers 15and 16 are now in engagement and the driven roller 15 is locked incoacting position with the drive roller 16 by the locking of thesemispherical portions 103 and 104 of the locking shaft 105 in thenotches 96, 97

of the end plates or walls of the mounting for the drive wringer roller,all as described as before.

Assuming now that the washing operation is to be started, the tub beingassumed to be filled with washing liquid, the motor is turned on and theknob 73 is actuated to operate the clutch fork 70 (Fig. 5) so as tocouple the agitator shaft with the corresponding drive gear in the gearassembly 35. The laundry pieces may be put into the tub from above afterremoving the lid 140 or they may be fed thereinto through the wringerrollers. In the latter case, the knob is actuated to couple the drivewringer roller 16 with the in-feed gear of the reversing gear and thelaundry feed-in operation can proceed. In most cases it will probably bepreferred to place the laundry pieces to be washed directly into thetub. The feed-in operation by means of the wringer is however possibleand therefore has been described.

Upon completion of the washing operation, the corresponding laundrypieces may be removed through the wringer. This is done by firstactuating the knob 95 so as to couple the shaft 92 of the drive wringerroller 16 with the gear 17 for feed-out rotation of the roller. Theindividual laundry pieces are thereupon fed to the wringer and ejectedtherefrom in damp condition ready for drying or ironing as the case maybe. The liquid may thereupon be drained from the tub by actuating theknob 27 so as to operate the pump 23 for the purpose of draining the tuband ejecting the liquid at the fitting 26 to which may be connected ahose leading to a sink or the like.

The pressure wringing operation will be appreciated from a considerationof the right hand drawing of Fig. 12. Assuming an object is insertedinto the wringer between the rollers 16 and 15, such object will tend topry these rollers apart. The resulting pressure is propagated to thedriven wringer roller 15, and inasmuch as the ends 125, 126 of suchroller are in their locked positions in engagement with the uppermargins of the slots such as 119 in the extension 118 of the respectivecross member such as 117, such pressure will tend to lift these crossmembers against the pressure of the associated compression springs suchas 122 and 123. These compression springs accordingly supply the wringerpressure.

The ends 125 and 126 of the shaft of the upper driven wringer roller canmove upwardly within the slots such as 116 in the walls 114 and 115extending downwardly from the top plate 14. Allowance is accordinglymade for the passage of laundry pieces of different thickness.

It shall now be assumed that the wringer jams for some reason or thatthe operators hand is just about to become caught between the wringerrollers by awkward handling. Release of the wringer and in the lattercase instant release must be effected so as to avoid damage or injury.

The instant release is effected by throwing the handle 130 from thedotted line position in Fig. 12 to the full line position in which thehandle 130 is also shown in Figs. 3, 4, 9 and 10. The handle rotatesinitially freely on the locking shaft 105 until the slot 132 catches upwith the pin 131. During this initial rotation, the pin 135 extendingfrom the handle journal, engages the cam portion 101 of the pawl 98 (seeleft hand drawing in Fig. 12) pressing upon the cam 101 and therebyrotating the pawl 98 clockwise from the locked dotted position in Fig.12 to the full line release position in which the tooth 100 of the pawlis disengaged from the fiat section of the sernispherical portion 103 ofthe locking shaft 105. Further rotation of the handle will carry alongthe shaft 105 to put the semispherical portions into the full linepositions shown in the left hand drawing of Fig. 12. The pressure of thepairs of compression springs such as 122, 123 can now exert itself andthe upper unit carrying the driven roller 15 can snap upwardly intoreleased position in which there is no pressure on the wringer rollersand in which position the driven wringer roller unit can be removed.

' Numeral in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 indicates a basketlike 9 receptacle forstoring away the electric cord 151 with its plug 152 when the machine isnot used.

It is, of course, understood that the washing operation may be carriedout in several stages, for example, first, one or more washing stagesand, second, one or more rinsing stages. The tub may be drained asdescribed at the conclusion of each stage and filled with fresh liquidfor the next stage. The entire washing operation is, for example,concluded upon conclusion of the last rinsing stage and thecorresponding laundry pieces may then be removed through the wringer toextract the liquid therefrom as described before.

The members covering parts of the wringer mechanism on the inside of themachine have been shown with their margins or edges in abutment withrespectively adjacent parts. It is clear, of course, that some or all ofthese members may be slightly spaced from adjacent parts so as toprovide for drainage of liquid from the wringer back to the washingcompartment; alternatively, apertures may be formed in such orcorresponding members or elements wherever they may be required ordesired to provide for efficient drainage of liquid from the wringer.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine having means forming a Washing tub, a wringermechanism comprising a first relatively stationary unit including arotatable positively driven driving roller, a second unit comprising ashaft carrying a driven roller, a pair of spaced apart bearing membersfor respectively journalling the opposite ends of said shaft, springbiased means for floatingly mounting each bearing member, and a devicefor releasably disposing said second unit with said driven roller inresilient pressure drive engagement with said driving roller, saiddevice comprising relatively stationary camming means extending fromsaid first unit, a movable locking member carried by said second unitfor coaction with said camming means, lever means for moving saidlocking member in a predetermined direction into interlocking engagementwith said camming means, a spring biased pawl for securing saidinterlocking engagement, and means actuated by said lever means uponmovement thereof in opposite direction for first releasing said pawl andthereafter moving said locking member out of interlocking engagementwith said camming means to release said driven roller from pressuredrive engagement with said driving roller; said locking member being arotatable shaft having spaced apart semispherical portions formedthereon for camming coaction with notches formed in correspondinglyspaced apart stationary members of said first unit and forming saidcamming means, said lever means being rotatable on said shaft, a pinextending from said shaft radially thereof for disposal in an elongatedslot formed in said lever, rotation of said lever in either directioneffecting lagging rotation of said shaft, and means 10 carried by saidlever for camming coaction with said pawl during the interval of freerotation of said lever on said shaft.

2. In a washing machine, means forming an outer cross-sectionallysubstantially rectangular casing, means forming in said casing across-sectionally substantially square tub, a wringer mechanismextending transversally along one side of said casing substantially atthe top thereof, said wringer mechanism comprising a pair of rollersdisposed in direct communication with said tub, and a relativelystationary frame for mounting one of said wringer rollers, said frameforming outwardly directed arms for defining an opening giving access tosaid rollers from the outside of said casing.

3. In a washing machine, means forming an outer cross-sectionallysubstantially rectangular casing, means forming in said casing across-sectionally substantially square tub, a wringer mechanismextending transversally along one side of said casing substantially atthe top thereof, said wringer mechanism comprising a pair 0' rollersdisposed in direct communication with said tub a relatively stationaryframe for mounting one of said wringer rollers, said frame formingoutwardly directed arms for defining an opening giving access to saidrollers from the outside of said casing, and a cover plate for parts ofsaid wringer mechanism facing said tub, said cover plate forming armsfor defining an opening giving access to said rollers.

4. In a washing machine, means forming an outer cross-sectionallysubstantially rectangular casing, means forming in said casing across-sectionally substantially square tub, a wringer mechanismextending transversally along one side of said casing substantially atthe top thereof, said wringer mechanism comprising a pair of rollersdisposed in direct communication with said tub, a relatively stationaryframe for mounting one of said wringer rollers, said frame formingoutwardly directed arms for defining an opening giving access to saidrollers from the outside of said casing, a cover plate for parts of saidwringer mechanism facing said tub, said cover plate forming arms fordefining an opening giving access to said rollers, and a frame forremovably mounting the other one of said rollers, said last-named frameforming lips respectively at the front and the rear thereof for definingthe upper margins of the respective openings formed respectively by thearms of said frame and said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,204,839 Wedler June 18, 1940 2,346,133 Hayes Apr. 11, 1944 2,350,108Geldhof et a1. May 30, 1944 2,370,498 Shecrin Feb. 27, 1945 2,580,435Kirby Ian. 1, 1952 2,627,741 Johnson Feb. 10, 1953

